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North Shore autism walks draws 2,500, helps raise $225,000

Monday, May 04, 2015Chicago Tribuneby Daniel I. Dorfman

Amid the blaring music and festive atmosphere Sunday morning, Arlington Heights teacher Danuta Sala remembered her students who have been placed on the autism spectrum.

"The biggest challenge is trying to help autism kids in a traditional environment, as they are not traditional students. It takes understanding in how they learn best in order to help them. You can't help them, if you don't understand them," Sala noted. "They have a lot of talents that other students may not have, and it is important to find that talent to let them shine."

Connecting to the talents of those students takes time, patience and some financial assistance. Raising those necessary funds was a goal of the estimated 2,500 people who arrived at New Trier High School's Northfield campus to participate in the North Shore Walk Now For Autism Speaks.

This has become an annual effort to support Autism Speaks, an organization which raises funds for autism research, services and awareness, as one in 68 children are identified with the autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This local version of Walk Now For Autism Speaks is spearheaded by the Savitz family of Glencoe, as Tyler Savitz, now 16, was diagnosed with autism when he was very young. His older brother, Spencer, now a sophomore at Stanford University, was determined out to help out and created Team Tyler, which just this year has raised almost $70,000.

What started out as part of an annual walk in Chicago among many in cities across the country grew enough in popularity along the North Shore to allow for a local version, first at the Chicago Botanic Garden and now at New Trier.

With the emcee Famos! energizing the crowd and DJ Brandon Brown blasting tunes, walkers – many wearing blue Team Tyler T-shirts – arrived to take part in a trek that took them through the accompanying forest preserves. As most had finished the walk, it was announced that $225,533 has been raised in 2015 alone, including through the walk and other fundraisers.

Stuart Savitz – Tyler and Spencer's father – was thrilled with the dedication he saw from his friends, neighbors and others. "This is a great sign of our community coming together and supporting families affected by autism," he said.

Jacob Shaw, a friend of Tyler Savitz, was joined on this day by his father, Alan, and their dog, Mozart, who were active participants this year.

"I want to see if I can help make things easier for people like Tyler and their families," Jacob Shaw said. "To see everybody on this team come together and fundraise for the team is nice to see."

Chris Leahy, a neighbor of the Savitz family, was also happy to walk with the crowd.

"There is a community feel and we wanted to show support for our neighbors," she noted. "Autism is a larger issue for a broad group, but we enjoy the event because it is for people within our community."

Leahy was happy to see a wide age range, especially among the school-age participants.

"It also brings out a lot of young kids and high school and college students," Leahy said. "It is rewarding for me to see them supporting it."